Biography
Larry Eugene Smedley was born on March 4, 1949 in Front Royal, Virginia. He attended elementary schools in Berryville, Virginia; Augusta, Georgia; Union Park, Florida; and Howard Junior High School in Union Park, leaving the latter in 1964.
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on March 18, 1966, at Orlando, Florida, then reported to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, and underwent recruit training with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion. In July 1966, he completed individual combat training with the 2nd Infantry Training Battalion, 1st Infantry Training Regiment, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Upon completion of recruit training, Pvt Smedley served as a rifleman and fire team leader with Companies D and C, respectively, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune. He was promoted to private first class on September 1, 1966 and to Lance Corporal on January 1, 1967.
In July 1967, LCpl Smedley arrived in the Republic of Vietnam. He was assigned duty as a rifleman and squad radio man with Company D, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, and was promoted to Corporal on September 1, 1967. While on patrol in Quang Nam Province on December 21, 1967 he was mortally wounded in the action for which he earned the Medal of Honor.
Larry Smedley was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. His grave can be found in section 31, lot 6486.
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